Bothell City Council has confirmed the appointment of Mara Rozzano to the Municipal Court Judge position. Judge Rozzano was ceremonially sworn in by Superior Court Judge George Appel during the Bothell City Council meeting on December 3, 2019.
In September 2019, Judge Gehlsen resigned and staff began a recruitment and selection process to fill the position. After an extensive recruitment, seven final candidates were interviewed by panels consisting of the City Attorney, Court Administrator, Lead Prosecutor, Lead Probation Officer, Bothell Police Department employees, and four outside raters in the areas of public and private defense counsel and court administration.
“We had a very rigorous selection process and Judge Rozzano was the top candidate of a very talented pool,” stated Jennifer Phillips, City Manager. “She built the Monroe court and her passion for her community there, especially the youth, was evident and inspiring.”
The Municipal Court is a separate branch of city government, and the Judge is responsible for the oversight of the court. Judge Rozzano will be responsible for presiding over and adjudicating a variety of hearings and trials related to infractions, misdemeanors, and gross misdemeanors. She will also oversee the development and implementation of the court budget, administration of policies and procedures, and management of all court employees.
“Bothell is a wonderful community and I’m ready to dive in and serve this community,” stated Judge Rozzano. “I’m well aware that our court must be an efficient and financially sound partner of the city and look forward to tackling some of those issues.”
When asked about restorative justice in a recent City Council meeting, Judge Rozzano’s passion for youth shone through. “Our court’s success depends on close coordination between myself and our judicial team, law enforcement, attorneys, and community members. When someone comes before me, especially youth, I’m merely addressing behavior or acts. I always treat the person with respect. Their acts do not have to define them.”
Judge Rozzano has been the Municipal Court Judge at the City of Monroe since January 1, 2015. Prior to that, she has 24 years of criminal prosecution experience primarily as the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Snohomish County, and briefly as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Kent. At the City of Monroe, Judge Rozzano performed similar duties to Bothell’s own Municipal Court Judge position. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a juris doctorate from the University of Washington. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the District Municipal Court Judges Association.
Judge Rozzano’s current appointment fills the Municipal Court Judge term that ends on December 31, 2021.